TUK lecturers, staff strike over unpaid salaries
The dons declared their frustration with the government and the university's administration over several issues including unpaid salaries dating back to September 2024, and the alleged failure of the institution to remit statutory deductions such as NHIF, NSSF, and SACCO contributions.
Learning at the Technical University of Kenya (TUK) came to a halt on Thursday after lecturers and staff officially began a strike following the expiry of their seven-day notice.
The dons, led by the University Academic Staff Union (UASU) TUK Chapter Secretary General Fred Savanje, declared their frustration with the government and the university's administration over several issues including unpaid salaries dating back to September 2024, and the alleged failure of the institution to remit statutory deductions such as NHIF, NSSF, and SACCO contributions.
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"We are here today because the strike notice we issued through the UASU National Secretary-General Constantine Wesonga to Parliament, the Treasury, and the Ministry of Education about our grievances, has not been honoured," said Savanje.
Demonstrations took place near the university's administration block, with lecturers and other staff marching and chanting solidarity songs.
Moreover, they criticised the lack of response to their petition, which highlighted the severe impact of the delayed salaries on their welfare and productivity.
"We held a peaceful demonstration on January 14, 2025, petitioning the relevant authorities to resolve our grievances. However, we have not received any formal correspondence from any of the three arms that we petitioned," lamented Savanje.
According to the strike notice issued on January 16, staff members had warned that they would down their tools if their grievances were not addressed.
The strike comes just weeks after the UASU threatened similar action over the government's failure to implement the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
"We agreed that the new salaries for university lecturers would be implemented in December, including arrears for October and November. Instead, we went for Christmas without the promised salaries," said UASU Organising Secretary Onesmas Muluki.
As the government and university administration remain mum on the strike, learning activities at TUK have been suspended.
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